20+ Recipes Using Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce

With their signature smokiness and fiery heat, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are a flavorful addition to countless dishes!  From tacos and dips, to soups and sides, this collection of 20+ Recipes Using Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce is packed with delicious ways to use both the spicy chiles and their tangy sauce.

Love spicy, smoky flavors?  These 20+ Recipes Using Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce are for you!

This collection of recipes includes grilled meats, slow-cooked beans, savory soups, roasted veggies, and creamy dips, just to name a few.  There really is something for everyone! 

Since chipotles in adobo are a canned, shelf-stable food, you can make these recipes all year long! 

Opened a can of chipotle peppers and didn’t use them all?  Below you’ll see ways to store and preserve them!

Why You’ll Love These Recipes

  • Variety of courses – there are recipes for breakfast, side dishes, soups, condiments, and dinners!
  • Recipes for all diets & lifestyles – vegan recipes, vegetarian recipes, comfort foods, and meat-based recipes.
  • Varied cooking methods – this collection includes recipes that are prepared many different ways: slow cooker, baked, grilled, and stovetop.

What are chipotle peppers in adobo sauce?

First, let’s talk about what a chipotle pepper is.  A chipotle pepper is a ripened jalapeno pepper that has been dried and smoked.

When those smoked jalapenos get canned in an adobo sauce, they turn into chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.   

The adobo sauce is a spicy, piquant sauce made with tomatoes, garlic, vinegar, and spices.  Chipotles add a wonderful smoky flavor to it.

Chipotle peppers are actually spicier than fresh, green jalapenos because chipotles started as fully ripened, red jalapenos, which have more capsaicin (PepperScale).

How to store leftover chipotles in adobo sauce

If you opened a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, but didn’t use them all, that’s ok!  They keep well!

  • Refrigerate: Store them in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Freeze: They can be frozen in either a freezer-safe container, or in ice cube trays.  For the latter, you can put one chipotle in each ice cube tray hole, then transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container for easy portions.

Now let’s dive into the recipes!

1. Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken

Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken is a delicious, versatile shredded chicken that’s perfect for tacos, burritos, taquitos, and more!  It’s spicy. smoky, and so flavorful!

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2. Achiote Chicken Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce

Made with grilled achiote marinated chicken and topped with creamy chipotle sauce, these chicken tacos are exploding with flavor!  Taco Tuesday never sounded so good!

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3. Spicy Chipotle Hummus

Spicy Chipotle Hummus in a white bowl.

Whether you slather it on a wrap or use it as a dip for veggies or pita chips, Spicy Chipotle Hummus makes a healthy and delicious condiment.  

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4. Chipotle Coleslaw

Chipotle Coleslaw

This Chipotle Coleslaw is made with green cabbage that gets tossed in a mayo-based dressing made with the sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo!  Perfect side for summer!

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5. Slow Cooker Mexican Beef Barbacoa

Slow Cooker Mexican Beef Barbacoa shredded in the slow cooker topped with cilantro

Slow Cooker Mexican Beef Barbacoa is a spicy shredded beef that’s perfect for tacos, burritos, and more!  This flavorful beef is a perfect choice for the slow cooker!

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6. Sweet Potato Black Bean Soup

Sweet Potato Black Bean Soup

Sweet Potato Black Bean Soup is a healthy, vegan, easy-to-make soup that’s made with sweet potatoes, black beans, chipotles, and spices.  Avocado, cilantro, and scallions are perfect toppings!

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7. Smoky Slow Cooker Mexican Black Beans

A clay bowl filled with Smoky Slow Cooker Mexican Black Beans

These spicy, smoky slow cooker Mexican black beans are a great addition to Mexican rice, Taco Tuesday or your Mexican feast!  They are vegan and loaded with good-for-you nutrients!

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8. Chipotle Ranch Dressing and Dip

Chipotle Ranch Dressing and Dip

Cool, creamy, and spicy, this Chipotle Ranch Dressing and Dip is a flavor-packed condiment perfect for tacos, dipping veggies, or pouring over your salad!

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9. Chipotle Black Bean Burger

Chipotle Black Bean Burger

A hearty and satisfying veggie burger made with black beans, corn, oats, chipotle peppers, and spices, these flavorful burgers are actually good for you!

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10. Slow Cooker Spicy Chipotle Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker Spicy Chipotle Chicken Chili in the slow cooker

This Slow Cooker Spicy Chipotle Chicken Chili is the perfect fall & winter comfort food!  It’s made with beans, tomatoes, peppers, and cream cheese.  Great for game day!

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11. Roasted Cauliflower and Lentil Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce

Roasted Cauliflower and Lentil Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce

These Roasted Cauliflower and Lentil Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce are the perfect vegetarian recipe for Taco Tuesday!  

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12. Spicy Mexican Stuffed Peppers

Spicy Mexican Stuffed Pepper cut in half to show the inside

Classic stuffed peppers reimagined with Mexican rice, ground beef, and a spicy sauce made with chipotles in adobo and Mexican spices, then topped with cheese and baked to perfection.  

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13. Mexican Chipotle Brussel Sprouts

Mexican Chipotle Brussel Sprouts

A flavorful side dish made with Brussels sprouts, corn, chipotle peppers, and cotija cheese, these Mexican Chipotle Brussel Sprouts are a great side to your favorite protein!

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14. Pollo Asado al Carbon (Mexican Grilled Charcoal Chicken)

Pollo Asado al Carbon (Mexican Grilled Charcoal Chicken)

This Pollo Asado al Carbon starts off with chipotle marinated chicken, then it gets grilled to juicy perfection!  Serve with tortillas and salsa or your favorite toppings!

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15. Vegan Barbacoa

Vegan Barbacoa

This Vegan Barbacoa recipe is a great way to enjoy a plant-based Mexican dish.  Made with jackfruit, mushrooms, and peppers, the meaty filling and flavorful sauce will not disappoint!

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16. Pork Pineapple Tacos

Pork Pineapple Tacos

These Pork Pineapple Tacos are made with a grilled, chipotle pineapple marinated pork tenderloin and a homemade pineapple salsa! 

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17. Chipotle Pumpkin Chili

Chipotle Pumpkin Chili

Chipotle Pumpkin Chili is packed with healthy vegetables, pumpkin, and beans.  Feel free to use ground turkey or your favorite plant-based meat for the protein.

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18. Spicy Chipotle Baked Beans

Spicy Chipotle Baked Beans

Made with spicy chipotle peppers, beer, and molasses, these baked beans are next-level!  Perfect for BBQ’s or potlucks, the instructions include oven and smoker directions.

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19. Chipotle Almond Dip

Chipotle Almond Dip

Whether you use this smoky Chipotle Almond Dip as a vegan dip for veggies and crackers, or as a condiment on your favorite meals, this flavorful, easy-to-make dip will not disappoint!

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20. Roasted Red Pepper Shakshuka with Feta

Roasted Red Pepper Shakshuka with Feta

This spicy, smoky Roasted Red Pepper Shakshuka with Feta recipe is a great recipe for either breakfast or dinner!  The decadent sauce is perfect with a loaf of crusty bread!

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21. Turkey & Avocado Torta with Chipotle Aioli

Turkey & Avocado Torta with Chipotle Aioli shown cut in half to see the inside.

The tastiest way to use up leftover turkey – a Turkey & Avocado Torta with Chipotle Aioli!  Add your favorite toppings for the ultimate Mexican sandwich!

Get the recipe!

I hope you enjoyed reading this list of 20+ Recipes Using Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce and were able to find some new tasty recipes to try!  

Looking for more recipe collections?  Here are some favorites:

Did you make any of these recipes?  Let me know in the comments below!  

I also have a fun Facebook group for us foodies to share recipes and talk about food.  I’d love to have you!  Request to join HERE.  Cheers!



1 thought on “20+ Recipes Using Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce”

  • I am so happy to see so many wonderful recipes on this list. Chipotle peppers take plain recipes and turn them into mouthwatering dishes. Thank you for including my recipe on this list.

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